Bengal Election Commission Requires Videotaping of Nomination Filing for Rural Polls

The West Bengal State Election Commission (SEC) has ordered video recording of the nomination process for the upcoming panchayat polls, as violence erupts in the state. The nomination process for the single-phase polls, scheduled for July 8, started on Friday and was marked by clashes between workers of different parties. The opposition parties have blamed the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) for the violent incidents and demanded central forces for free and fair elections. Amidst this tension, the state poll panel issued an order imposing prohibitory orders under section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure, forbidding the gathering of four or more people within a kilometre of nomination centres. The last panchayat elections in 2018 saw large-scale violence, leading opposition parties to allege that their candidates were not allowed to file nominations and were intimidated. The TMC had won around 90% of the seats in the last elections. Lastly, The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sent notices to the Centre, the Bengal government, and SEC, seeking reports on human rights protection measures taken and deputed its director-general to conduct an on-the-spot survey.